Ramaphosa warned that employers who hire undocumented migrants could face imprisonment, marking a sharp escalation in the government’s approach to illegal hiring, which has traditionally been met with fines.
The announcement comes amid growing political and social tensions over unemployment and public frustration linked to migration pressures.
In a nationally televised address reported by the BBC, the president outlined a broader enforcement package that includes the establishment of dedicated courts to fast-track deportation cases.
The aim, he said, is to reduce long-standing backlogs that have slowed down immigration enforcement and border management processes.
Authorities also plan to deploy up to 10,000 labour inspectors to identify businesses employing undocumented workers and ensure stricter compliance with labour laws. The move is expected to significantly increase workplace inspections across key sectors where migrant labour is commonly used.
Crackdown shifts focus to workplace enforcement and inspections
Another major component of the plan is the introduction of a nationwide biometric population register designed to strengthen identity verification systems and curb identity fraud, which officials say is increasingly linked to undocumented migration networks.
Ramaphosa also addressed rising anti-foreigner sentiment, warning against xenophobia and discrimination while stressing that South Africa’s identity has been shaped by migration.
He said illegal migration routes are increasingly overlapping with organised crime networks, complicating enforcement efforts.
Authorities claim that more than 450,000 attempted illegal entries were intercepted in the past year alone, underscoring the scale of border pressure facing the country.
The measures reflect the government’s effort to balance economic frustration at home with constitutional commitments and social cohesion, as South Africa continues to grapple with high unemployment and politically sensitive migration debates.
